SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday (Aug 28) said that Singapore and Japan's relations deepened under the leadership of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and wished him a "good recovery".
Mr Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister, announced earlier on Friday his resignation, citing ill health.
AdvertisementAdvertisementMr Abe has battled the disease ulcerative colitis for years and recently made two hospital visits within a week.
"I am sorry to learn that Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo has resigned from office for health reasons," Mr Lee said in a Facebook post.
"I have worked well with Mr Abe for close to nine years. Under his leadership, our bilateral relations have deepened ... I wish Abe-san a good recovery as he begins treatment for his condition," he added.
[h=3]READ: Commentary: Will replacing Abe leave Japan in limbo?[/h] AdvertisementAdvertisementThe last time both leaders met in person was in November last year, said Mr Lee. They also met online in April, during a virtual ASEAN Plus Three Summit on COVID-19.
Mr Lee said Mr Abe had also played a "critical role" in concluding the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) after the United States left the original Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.
[h=3]READ: Who could lead Japan after Shinzo Abe?[/h]Singapore and Japan are among the 11 parties to the CPTPP, which was concluded in January 2018 in Tokyo, according to information on the Ministry of Trade and Industry's website.
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